Kindhearted companies in Boston have come forward to offer jobs to workers made redundant from bedding manufacturer Fogarty.

The historic firm made 185 of its 210 staff redundant on Monday October 29, sending shockwaves through the town.

A major effort to help the workers find fresh employment is now underway, led by Jobcentre Plus with help from the Department for Work and Pensions ,Boston Borough Council and Boston College.

Stuart Roberts, employer advisor at the jobcentre, said they have been inundated with offers from local companies, which approached them after the news broke, saying they were looking for people to work in a range of roles including production, lorry drivers and forklift drivers.

Sixty people attended advice sessions at Municipal Buildings in the town on Wednesday, October 31, with a further 20 at least expected today, Thursday, November 1.

The DWP has started a Rapid Response project, an initiative which is launched when a large employer lays off high numbers of staff.

The project is offering workers advice on job opportunities, re-training and transferable skills.

Bell Leisure, Skegness has a vacancy for someone to perform data entry and admin duties

Wittswood, in Kirton, which produces hardwood doors, flooring and moulding is looking for two staff with joinery skills, a forklift licence and some IT skills

Dunelm was one of Fogarty's big customers (Image: hinckley times)

Lincolnshire Community Voluntary Service is looking for link workers in Boston and Holbeach to promote community-based healthy living

Freshtime in Boston has vacancies for a spice room leading hand, a cooking (and cooling) operative, an area despatch coordinator, a despatch administrator, a product developer and a development technologist

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Emmett UK in Spalding, has various roles available at its chilled food factory including line/machine operators, forklift drivers (goods in and out), and potentially a line leader/team leader role

Premier Composites, Hubberts Bridge, which makes fibre glass components for the transport industry, is looking for two fitters, one trimmer and one laminator.

Boston Borough Council has vacancies for class 2 HGV drivers, a refuse loader/driver, a refuse operative, a business support officer a casual receptionist, and various apprentice roles in administration, which are not exclusive for young people and could be an option for people considering a change of career.

George Barnsdale, Donington is looking for a production operative, marketing manager, and installation and maintenance engineers who will be based in Donington but working on contracts across Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk.